The Martha Stewart Blog : Blog Archive "Stories to Savor" Benefit for 826NYC

January 31, 2026

"Stories to Savor" Benefit for 826NYC

Whenever my busy schedule allows, I always try to attend benefit gatherings that support good causes and important organizations.

Earlier this week, I attended one such event called "Stories to Savor" - a benefit for 826NYC, a nonprofit organization that provides writing workshops for more than 3600 young students in underserved New York City public schools throughout the year. It also provides curricular and classroom support to their mentors and educators. More than 115 attended the affair including chefs, writers, artists, teachers, and other influencers. I, along with a select group, was also invited to read excerpts from a collection of food-themed essays, short stories, and poems written by young 826NYC students. The evening was a lot of fun and a huge success.

Here are some photos.

: The evening dinner party and fundraiser was well attended. Here I am with a group of 826NYC supporters, coordinators and readers – Kristen Naiman, Missy Robbins, Christine Muhlke, Annie Shi, Andrew Tarlow, Kate Huling, Naomi Fry, Liza Demby, Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, Rebecca Darugar, Alison Roman, Laura Ferrara, and Alex Tieghi-Walker. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: Rebecca Darugar is the executive director of 826NYC. She addressed the audience and welcomed everyone to the event. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg).

: New Yorker writer and cultural critic Naomi Fry co-hosted the event and lead the presentations. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: Here is event co-host Kristen Naiman of The RealReal. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: And here is event co-host Liza Demby, creative strategy entrepreneur and writer. It was so nice to see such an enthusiastic group of individuals so passionate about encouraging young students to write. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: For part of the evening, various attendees read some of the food-themed essays written by young students in the program. This is food writer and chef, Alison Roman. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, the founder of One Love Community Fridge, read a passage from a 5th grader’s essay on shrimp. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: Artist Laila Gohar shared excerpts from a piece entitled “An Ode to Eggs.” (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: And I read a passage written by a 5th grader on the flavors of her grandmother’s oxtail stew, which she says is “the greatest dish on the world. I love oxtail stew also. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: The event’s menu was inspired by the student pieces. Chef Woldy Reyes prepared a table of Filipino-influenced dishes including lugaw, a warm rice porridge topped with fried garlic and cilantro. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: The table of light dinner bites was full. Guests helped themselves to both savory and sweet choices. The event was held at TIWA Select, an art gallery in the Tribeca section of Manhattan.(Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: These are Shanghai Puff Pastries served with homemade banana ketchup. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: Creamy whipped tofu topped with crisp coins of purple daikon and pink radicchio was also on the menu. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: For dessert there were platters of sweet cookies provided by The Rounds along with bibingka, a coconut rice cake made by Chef Woldy. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)

: And for fruit fanciers – white pineberries, a unique variety of white strawberries that have red seeds and a pineapple-like flavor. (Photo by Kate Glicksberg)